Acoustic spectroscopy for the characterization of pharmaceutical nanosystems

Giovanni Filippo Palmieri

Acoustic spectroscopy for the characterization of pharmaceutical nanosystems

Giovanni Filippo Palmieri

University of Camerino, Italy

: J Pharm Drug Deliv Res

Abstract

Acoustic spectroscopy is one of the emerging technologies developed to minimize processing, maximize quality and ensure the safety of pharmaceutical, food and chemical products. The operating principle of acoustic spectroscopy is the measurement of the ultrasound pulse intensity and phase after its propagation through a sample. The main goal of this technique is to characterize concentrated colloidal dispersions without dilution, in such a way as to be able to analyze nontransparent and even highly structured systems. After a simplified explanation of the theory behind acoustic spectroscopy and a brief discussion on the 2 types of instruments that can be found on the market, the presentation describes what type of information can be obtained from different dispersed systems for pharmaceutical use. More precisely, it is shown as acoustic spectroscopy can give the particle size distribution of micelles and other types of self assembled systems, or emulsions and microemulsions. The case of poloxamer 407 water system and that of an entire ternary diagram are given. At the same time, microrheological considerations about the structure of the system can be done. Then, some examples of transitions that can be monitored by acoustic spectroscopy are shown: thermal self assembling and thermogelling, liposomes thermal transitions, dissolution kinetics of polymers in water, mucoadhesion of polymers.